



Mer Noire orientale — Rize, Çamlıhemşin et parc des Kaçkar, Türkiye
Rize and the Kaçkar Mountains
Warning: Risk areaThe notebook of Rize and the Kaçkar Mountains
Passing coves to great horizons.
From Rize and its coastal hills, the discovery goes back to the bridges of Fırtına, Zilkale and the pastures of altitude around Ayder. The Kaçkar Park is located above the top of the park, protecting the glacial terrain, lakes and alpine meadows. A valley walk and an altitude hike involve very different preparations.
At your own pace
Identity summary
4 to 7 days
Summer · Autumn
Recommended car
City · Coast · Mountain · Forest
Limited accessibility
Rhythm supported
General presentation
Rize and the Kaçkar Mountains
From Rize and its coastal hills, the discovery goes back to the bridges of Fırtına, Zilkale and the pastures of altitude around Ayder. The Kaçkar Park is located above the top of the park, protecting the glacial terrain, lakes and alpine meadows. A valley walk and an altitude hike involve very different preparations.
To understand what Rize and Kaçkar are, you should look at Zilkale Castle, Ayder Plateau and Kaçkar Mountains National Park. These places give us a view of a territory marked by urban life, the coastline, mountain reliefs and forests and allow us to move from emblematic sites to more intimate stages.
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For a stay of 4 to 7 days, you must plan a fairly sustained day. Also to be anticipated: increased vigilance and shared park between Rize, Artvin and Erzurum: do not use the entire province of Rize as an outline. A car is usually the easiest way to connect the different sectors. However, some sites require more walking, elevation or preparation.

Strengths and constraints
Strengths
- Zilkale Castle
- Ayder tray
- Kaçkar Mountains National Park
- la Fırtına Valley
- Rize Castle
Before you choose
- Enhanced vigilance.
- Shared park between Rize, Artvin and Erzurum: do not use the entire province of Rize as a contour.
- Alpine routes sensitive to snow and weather; no climb included by default.
Places worth visiting
A selection to start dreaming and organizing the stay — not an exhaustive list of everything there is to see.

Heritage
Zilkale Castle
Zilkale dominates the Fırtına valley from a rocky spur. Its enclosures and tower remind the surveillance of a medieval route to the interior of the mountains. The castle is a precise landmark in a landscape of wooded slopes.
Nature
Ayder tray
Ayder is a yayla, a summer place in the Rize mountains, which has become a tourist destination. It serves as a landmark to discover the high-altitude landscapes above Çamlıhemşin, while remaining distinct from the Kaçkar alpine peaks and routes.

Nature
Kaçkar Mountains National Park
The National Park extends over portions of Rize, Artvin and Erzurum. It protects forests, alpine meadows and glacial landscapes, with peaks close to four thousand meters. Its perimeter is different from that of the entire massif.

Nature
la Fırtına Valley
The Fırtına is a group of torrents from the Kaçkar slopes facing the Black Sea. Its valley is a discovery route between historic bridges, villages and fortifications. It must not be reduced to the point of Zilkale alone.
Practical tips
This information helps know if the destination matches the planned trip before starting a fuller search.
To go further
More activities
Restaurants, walks, culture, leisure and outings to search without leaving the destination card.
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